Nigerians have indeed suffered tremendously in the last one year. Not strictly the hunger tugging at our bellies. That pestilence of hunger was brilliantly conveyed by the whammy soundbite, “Ebi npa wa o” as  Lagos Island people’s response to the president’s fleet of gleaming SUVs last year. As an aside, permit the pun, I think that national soundbite deserves a Grammy. Lacerating words from those who rule us even rub salt on our hunger injury. They make Christians race for their bibles to read the famous and incredulous story of King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and successor. Some young men had helped Rehoboam design a Manifesto themed on how to effectively govern Israel. Perhaps, it was 80-paged, too? Or probably christened “Renewed Hope” as well? Whereas his father-predecessor inflicted heavy yoke on the people, counseled the young men in the Manifesto, Rehoboam’s administration should add to the yoke. So, Rehoboam’s Manifesto had the catchphrase, “whereas my father scoured you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.” In a language devoid of political sentiment, it looks like the transition from Muhammadu Buhari to where we are now has a Rehoboamic flavour.

I was not old enough to cognize what happened during the Nigerian civil war so, pardon my comparative shortcoming. Were Nigerian lives this miserable during the war? Many have, in the last one year, died of Rehoboam scorpion stings. Many are in the sanatorium. Many depressed compatriots are looking vacantly into the sky and muttering lullabies to God-knows-who. Many husbands have lost their economic manhood. The sick who could not afford spiking drug costs are now at conference table with their Creator. The president and his kitchen crew have become Eddy Iroh’s Toads of (our) War. They grow “big fat stomachs,” apologies to Fela Kuti. N21 billion just renovated the Vice president’s palace. Our First Lady got billions of Naira voted for her kitchen so that tomatoes and pepper can be plenty on the shelf.

Last Tuesday, our president cavalierly dismissed our sufferings. What the hell are we howling about? “You are not the only ones suffering!” he admonished the Ebi npa wa orchestra. Though it was from a statement issued by spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, I imagine our president fluffing the arms of his agbada proudly and majestically like Mother Eagle. If you dissemble the president’s words properly, they are almost akin to Queen of France, Marie-Antoinette’s famous statement during the French revolution. French people were starving. “Let them eat cake,” the Queen had said, totally removed from the pangs of the people’s hunger. With hunger decking the bellies of the French, the Queen was literally asking the people the impossibility of making a gangan drum with the hide of an elephant. The president was comfortable comparing malaises and not wellness. Seyitan Atigarin of Arise television yesterday provided a perfect anecdotal explanation of the president’s infelicity. Aso Rock’s gaffe can be compared to the words of a gym instructor. To an obese person looking up to him for conquest of fat, the instructor asked the obese to look at the sea of the obese like him in the gym for inspiration. Shouldn’t he exemplify hope by citing those who had conquered their fat?

You do not need to slide the panes of your window to see tears, pain and anguish all over Nigeria. Sufferings are our ever-present guests. They sit at table with us, in company of their compatriot of tomfoolery in high and low places. But, don’t our elders say if the deity, the Orisa, cannot remedy a situation, it should not worsen it? When system henchmen ask why we make these issues daily refrain, we tell them that our case is synonymous with that of a poor man whose fowl was stolen by a rich man (èdá t’ó gb’ádìye òtòsì) and who, by that very fact, has courted to himself, not only the ire of the poor but a global amplification of the poor man’s fate (ó gbelé t’aláròyé). The whole world must hear of the inequity.

An example is the rude and unnecessary debate on whether our president should purchase a jet to add to his harem, pardon me, fleet of ten jets. This is coming at a time when “ebi ńpa wá” has become a national ringtone and Nigerians can’t see tomatoes and pepper on their dining table. We can however see a presidential “bùgá” and “bragging right”. Then, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, came up with a widely-adjudged common error of reasoning. In a reaction to criticisms against the purchase of presidential jet by this government, Onanuga demanded if critics wanted the president to die in flight like Malawian Vice President, Saulos Chilima and Ebrahim Risi, president of Iran. Let us not dwell on the flavor of indecorum and gloating at the dead noticeable in the statement. Known as “emotive bullying” or “emotional gangsterism,” that presidential statement was an argumentative reasoning that sought to appeal to consequence. In Symbolic Logic, Onanuga’s argument is identified by a Latin word called argumentum ad consequentiam. In such argument to consequence, the one arguing creates an atmosphere of pity. They base the truth or falsity of their argument on whether the premise leads to pleasant or unpleasant consequences, waylaying their opponent by appealing to the consequences of the action of accepting or rejecting their line of argument.

Nigeria’s case is like that of the proverbial rolling stone that gathers no moss, something I have elsewhere referred to as a multidimensional malaise. This was what late Babatunde Olatunji couched to arrive at the title of his 1978 Yoruba novel, Egbìrìn Òtè. Are you following the tomfoolery going on in Rivers and Kano States? In both, you can see the hands of the Leviathan. It is obvious that year 2027 is high on the calculations of decisions being taken on the two states. If human casualties litter the streets of Port-Harcourt and Kano, so be it. A president who desires peace in Rivers knows what to do. A major irreverent piece in a faggot, which the Yoruba call “Igi wórókó,” which is upturning the peace of the earthen space, (ààrò) is right inside the president’s trousers (sòkòtò) in  Abuja. So, why pretending to be going to Sokoto to find it? If Nigeria’s No 1 Citizen desires peace in Rivers and Kano this moment, it will happen in a twinkle of an eye. All he needs do is agree that 2027 belongs to God and not to any human, no matter their buga. In Rivers, he only needs to pour cold water on this Rivers hot faggot that took residency with him right there in  Abuja and remove it from the fire. Kano has a Siamese portent with Kaduna. The president only needs to allow that impish irritant he is afraid would snatch the race baton from him in 2027, who he is hounding in Kaduna through a remote control, stew in his own broth. The belief that the Kano emirate, friendly to the imp, will help him in 2027 may not necessarily follow.

One of the multidimensional malaises happened in Zamfara state last week. Governor Dauda Lawal flagged off the construction of an airport. This is in a state where the number of out-of-school children rivals a migrating colony of bats. N62 billion of state funds was the sacrificial lamb, oil and cowries propitiated to this god of elite appetite. On the list of the malaises of last week, too, was the appointment of 85-year old Chief Bisi Akande as Chairman, Governing Council of our own UI. Akande, we are told, does not even have a university degree. Don’t our elders say gold should be given only to he who knows its worth? Four persons on the Council membership list are said to be immediate family members/political fawners who hail from Akande’s homestead in Ila-Orangun.

I am sorry for digressing this considerably. Today is clearly no day for all those malaises, the peculiar messes in high and low places. It is certainly not an epistle on the sting or bite of Tanpépé, agbón and oyin which we have stoically endured in the last one year. As I write this, I am listening to Odolaye Aremu’s elegy to S. L. Akintola and Adegoke Adelabu. Both had died in the First Republic. While Akintola was killed in the military coup of January, 1966, Adelabu died in a fatal automobile accident on March 25, 1958. He was aged 43. The unfortunate death happened in a place called Mile 51 on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, near Shagamu, today’s Ogun State. In the company of a Syrian businessman, Adelabu’s car had hit an oncoming vehicle.

“Soldiers are killing people (àwon sójà ńpàà’yàn); the number of the dead is innumerable (èmí t’ó bó ò l’óñka),” the arguably one of the greatest musicians to have come from Ilorin, Kwara State, sings. It was a musical reminiscence on the aftermath of Adelabu’s car accident. This petrel of Ibadan politics’ supporters had claimed his death was spiritual assassination, leading to a deadly protest. Over 500 people were arrested by the police and 102 others charged to court. Odolaye’s most profound quip in that track and my takeaway in the midst of this Nigerian peculiar mess is, a tear-provoking happening that stupefies deserves to be confronted with laughter. It is same I canvass today. Odolaye sang it as “Òrò t’ó bá j’ekún lo, èrín làá fií rín”.

Each time I try to make sense of the various existential challenges Nigeria battles, I have, countless times, had recourse to Can Themba. Born in Marabastad, near Pretoria, South Africa, Themba was one of the most poignant South African writers whose works were done in Sophiatown, Johannesburg. An investigative journalist as well, Themba worked with the defunct Drum magazine. His famous award-winning short story entitled The Suit supplies answers to my worry on Nigeria’s uncountable malaises. It tames my wandering wonder. The story is about Philemon, a middle-class lawyer. He had an adulterous wife called Matilda and both of them lived in Sophiatown. Devoted as Philemon was to Matilda, the latter was always fond of turning his home into a tryst immediately he leaves for his office. On this particular day, Philemon was told of the escapade of his wife again. Rather than his wont of leaving for home late in the evening, Philemon went home midday. As the lawyers say, he caught his wife in flagrante with the lover. In the melee that ensued, the lover scampered out of the window but forgot his suit.

To effectively deal with Matilda, Philemon then concocted a strange and bizarre punishment for her. This was a routine he spelt out where Matilda had to behave to the suit which he hung on the shelf as a honored guest. This involved treating it with utmost respect, feeding it, providing ample entertainment for the suit and taking a walk with it, while discussing with it as an animate object. In conceptualizing the punishment, Philemon reckoned that this treatment would serve as a bitter and constant reminder to Matilda about her adultery. Remorseful, psychologically beaten and humiliated, Matilda eventually died of shame of her adulterous escapades. The treatment our Aso Rock tormentors and their predecessors inflict upon us is similar to Philemon’s. Were we at any time adulterous as a people? Is this their way of dealing with us?

Ojude Oba, Durbar and Musawa’s African Grammy

Last Tuesday’s cultural display of the Ijebu people of Ogun State in their yearly Ojude Oba festival caught the eyes of the world. Translated as Festival of the King’s Courtyard, it has over the years been one of the most glamorous cultural and spiritual festivals held in Nigeria for over a century now. Many people have queried the rich sartorial depth and affluence of the Ijebu in the midst of Nigeria’s national ferment. Among Yoruba festivals, the glitz and colours associated with this festival place it outside the ranks of any cultural festival in Nigeria. Usually held to coincide with the Islamic Eid-l-adha ceremony, the festival holds on its third day.

Oral historical accounts put the emergence of the festival to Chief Kuku Oduyingbo, who later became Balogun of Ijebu, and or Imam Tunwatoba. Either or both, having recently converted to Islam, gathered friends, families, and well-wishers in homage to then Awujale, Oba Fidipote, who reigned around 1885. It was to appreciate him for the opportunity he gave them to practice Islam without hindrance. Ever since, thanks to Dr. Mike Adenuga’s Globacom which heavily funds the festival, Ojude Oba has transformed from being a Sallah homage into a cultural melting point for the Ijebu.

The Ojude Oba goes beyond the glamour of the participants’ dressing, or the equestrian display. Today, it speaks directly to the cultural, religious, social, and military significance of its yearly celebration. It is attended by over a million people. Apart from the visual niceties it brings, it also speaks to the importance of group association as the bedrock of development. You can see this in the gathering and parade of age grade societies called Regberegbe. Established in the 18th century, the age grade societies are known collectively as Wompari. The aim is to bring about amity among groups and ultimately, development into Ijebu land. Wompari is further broken into Egbe Gbobaniyi comprising male and female (1962-1964); Egbe Bobagunte male and female (1956-1958); Akile of Ijebu (1959-1961); Mafowoku, Egbe Arobayo male and female; Egbe Jagunmolu (1965-1967), Egbe Bobakeye, and Egbe Bobagbimo. Most of the Wompari are top industry barons, successful captains of industry and A-List professionals.

What Nigeria advertises to the world in Ojude Oba is cultural elegance and communal cohesion. It does same in the Argungu Fishing festival where showpieces are made of the hugest fish catches. Also in the mode of the Ojude Oba is the Durbar festival, an ancient traditional annual Hausa cultural, religious and equestrian festival which began in the 14^th century. Native to northern Nigerian original ancient emirates of Kano, Katsina, Gombe and Akko, it is also celebrated in Sokoto, Zazzau, Bauchi and Bida. It rekindles Hausa’s ancient horsemen preoccupation in the Sahara and Sahel. Like the Ojude Oba, it is also a homage to the Emir and signposted by a colourfully mounted parade of the king’s retinue of horsemen. Musicians and artillerymen also add vibes to the festival.

Over the years, Nigerian creatives have also begun a renaissance to jumpstart the country’s creativity, especially in music. From African traditional music of Dan Maraya in Jos, Ogene songs of Oliver Decoque and Igbo highlife, a contemporary musical genre that combines highlife and Igbo traditional music, lifted into stardom by Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, to the Yoruba Sakara, Juju and Apala music, Nigeria has evolved into gaining recognition on the global stage. Today, our boys advertise their craft on global audience stage and harvest audiences in the realm of millions. Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, and many others are doing Nigeria proud in that regard. Blends of Afro beats and hip-hop parade artists like Plantashun Boiz, Def ‘O’ Clan, Remedies, Trybesmen with world class producers like OJB Jezreel. While they ply their trade at the global stage, these music wizards have also pushed our entertainment industry into becoming a major contributor to the Nigerian economy. Indeed, Nigeria’s entertainment industry is ranked “second-best entertainment and media consumer market” globally with the American music industry being the clear leader.

So, it becomes bothersome when news streaked in that the Nigerian government, represented by Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, is entering into partnership with the American Grammy Awards to establish an African version of the Grammy Award. In a Global Music Industry Growth by Region rating, while Latin America had 21.5%, Asia 12.8%, Europe 6.2%, US/CAN 4.2%, MENA 19.8%, Sub-Saharan Africa had a whopping 28.8%. So why subordinate the master to his apprentice? The question to ask is, will this Africanization of the Grammy bring any good the way of Nigeria or her music industry? The answer is no. The idea is at best imperialist. There can be no two Grammy Awards. The original, which America monopolizes, has a high, if not total dosage of American music flavor. It prides itself as “the music industry’s highest honour” whereas our globally acclaimed musicians from Africa seldom crack its nut. It is why Nigerian superstars hardly win the Grammy. To have dross of Grammy in Africa as Musawa is contemplating is to accept the superiority and then inferiorize our own globally-sought music stars.

As a music enthusiast, I am convinced that what the Minister should be doing by now is to partner existing continental music award platforms which will strengthen and not overshadow them. African music awards institutions like South African Music Awards, (SAMA) Trace Awards, Headies, Ghana Music Awards (GMA), Soundcity MVP Awards, AFRIMA and such like will promote the continent’s music rather than this neo-colonial idea being toyed with by Musawa. She should also devise ways of revving the strides made by Ojude Oba, Durbar, Argungu and allied festivals into making those crafts recognized by the whole world. I hope the minister is listening?

NIGERIA’S senior national team, the Super Eagles’ last two games against South Africa and Benin Republic left much to be desired; the one against the minnows Benin Republic especially left a sour taste in the mouth. Everyone knows that sports remain the only adhesive that glues this country together, football especially. It is, in fact, the only occasion when Nigerians’ sense of patriotism and nationalism overrides every other primordial sentiment of creed or religion, state of origin or region, and tribe or race. Assailed on all fronts by debilitating odds, sport offers the only opportunity for the vast majority of our long-suffering people to know joy and have some respite. It is one occasion when they glow. So, you can imagine their grief when our national team not only disappoints but also does so miserably. Hence, the call for heads to roll. Quite understandable, then, when the head of the Super Eagles’Head Coach, Finidi George, was demanded on a platter, like that of the biblical John the Baptist! I became suspicious, however, when I read somewhere that the NFF conducted no interview for Finidi before handing him the job. If that is true, then, we must ask on what basis did they decide that Finidi was fit or was the best candidate for the job, since there were other competitors? Mere sentiments moved them? Extraneous factors other than competence and suitability for the job decided for them? Then, they are as guilty as Finidi himself – perhaps, even more so. So, the NFF itself deserves the boot! Sack them!

I know they will try to hide under the FIFA umbrella but we must find a way to rid ourselves of unpatriotic and self-serving football administrators feeding fat on national resources only to end up causing us pain and anguish, as you will soon see. We cannot allow such elements to continue to trample on the emotions and sensibilities of Nigerians, smiling their way to the bank while Nigerians groan and moan. The passion for football is such in this country that only God knows how many of our citizens lose life and limbs each time our football team disappoints. The last African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire is a case in point. To evade FIFA sanction, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should borrow a leaf from how former President Olusegun Obasanjo offloaded many Senate presidents and PDP chairmen one after the other! This is a low-hanging fruit that Tinubu should take advantage of and football-loving Nigerians will, at least momentarily, forget their sorrows and hail him!

Now, if you think the NFF is not as guilty as I have charged them here, read the following investigative report by Adewale Ajayi, reporting for Score Nigeria Editor, titled“Osimhen versus Finidi: The whole truth”

It reads:“Many out there saw the Finidi vs Osimhen saga as just another player vs coach disagreement that will fade away with time. To some, this is the perfect occasion for the NFF to stamp their feet on indiscipline among national team players by coming down hard on Victor Osimhen. This writer knows Victor Osimhen very well. I worked with him for close to two years as media officer of the U20 national team of Nigeria and I don’t really need anyone to tell me about his temperament. We ate together, travelled together and spent the nights gisting after dinner… he is a warrior, fighter and, above all, he is the most patriotic footballer I have ever seen or known. His passion for the green-white-green jersey is second to none. His hunger for success is unbelievable and he has got a big heart.

“I remember the U20 qualifier against Burundi in Bujumbura and the victory against Sudan in Omdurman. On both occasions, Osimhen rose to the occasion, even though he was nursing a knee injury and had to play in pain. That tells you how passionate this young man is when dressed in green-white-green. So, you will understand why he felt betrayed by comments allegedly made by coach Finidi George describing him as unpatriotic. Such comments will hurt any true patriot, especially when you remember the sacrifices (you have made). Let’s not forget, too, that he claimed he called to inform the coach of his injury after visiting his doctor in Wolfsburg and also pleaded with the coach that he would like to be in camp to offer moral support to the boys at the detriment of his own comfort, which coach Finidi reportedly turned down.

“Nevertheless, there is always the need to apply caution and maintain a calm, cool and coordinated approach at all times, especially when you find yourself in that position where many now see you as their role model, mentor or icon. As the current African footballer of the year, Osimhen ticks these boxes perfectly and has even grown to be classified as an idol to so many young footballers on the continent.

“In an attempt to unravel all the miseries surrounding the accusation purportedly made by Finidi that Osimhen and a few others pick the games that suit them and that majority of these players are not patriotic, this writer took time to dig deep to find out what transpired at the meeting that was held inside the conference room of the honourable Minister of Youth and Sports…

“The Meeting That Matters: The NFF delegation to the meeting, held at the office of the Honourable Sports Minister, was led by the NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau. Also, on the entourage were the NFF 1st Vice president, Anyansi Agwu; General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed; team secretary and director of competitions, Dayo Enebi with the NFF technical director, Augustine Eguaveon, completing the list. The Sports minister, Senator John Enoh, had invited the NFF and Finidi to explain Nigeria’s dismal performance in those two World Cup qualifying games against South Africa and Benin Republic and point the way forward.

“At some point during the deliberations, Finidi was asked to speak and he poured out his mind, without holding back. According to my source, Finidi heaped the blame on his players. He was furious with the way the players responded to national call-ups, which some of us had complained about in the buildup to these matches. My source said Finidi then went on to assure the minister and his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation, that he has absolute confidence that the Super Eagles can still qualify for the World Cup if all hands are on deck. He said that he was surprised that a few players in the team have godfathers in the NFF. According to him, if he tried to stamp his feet on certain behavior in the team, some persons will remind him that the players in question belong to either a board member or a top official of the NFF.

“It was at this point that the NFF technical director, Augustine Eguaveon, cut in and told Finidi that, to succeed as head coach, he needed to stamp his authority, be decisive and be brutal, if need be. Eguaveon gave an example of how he banished Yakubu Aiyegbeni to the bench because the former Portsmouth striker who, at the time, was doing so well in the Premier League, thought he deserved an automatic jersey whenever he came to camp.

“Finidi then responded by saying he was going to change his approach henceforth. He said he would no longer tolerate these unpatriotic players in the national team. This was when he now said a player like Osimhen could have taken the risk and come to play for Nigeria if he really wanted to… At that meeting, the NFF didn’t tell Finidi in the presence of the Sports Minister that they had plans to engage a foreign technical adviser. However, he might have offended the “gods” by revealing during that meeting with the minister that some top guns in the federation are godfathers to players in the Super Eagles and that explains why they are seen as untouchables. Little wonder, a decision was taken behind him to employ a foreign technical adviser and demote the former Enyimba head coach to assistant coach. Immediately Finidi got wind of this plan, he quickly tendered his letter of resignation…

“How did Osimhen get to know about what Finidi said or did not say? It will also interest you all to know that there are top officials of Nigeria football that are on the payroll of Nigeria footballers. I know of a footballer that once gave an administrator in the previous Board a wrist watch worth over €40,000. I am also aware that every Super Eagles team list comes with a price. Before a Super Eagles team list is released, there are lots of interests at stake and most players, except the established names like Osimhen, Lookman, Nwabali and a few others, come to the Super Eagles camp armed with gifts for their godfathers. That is why these godfathers will do anything to please the players in return. There are also those secretariat staff that have their ears to the ground and push out information daily to curry favour. So, it baffles me why anyone would be surprised that Osimhen got inside information of what transpired at the meeting. He is too connected and too rich to be left in the dark.

“Now that it is established based on available facts that Finidi alleged that Osimhen and a few others are not 100% patriotic to the national cause, it is on that basis we will judge the Instagram live video posted by Osimhen… Osimhen has no reason to go live the way he did and his choice of words on the day are not acceptable. Victor Osimhen is a superstar of repute. The current African Footballer of the Year, a Nigerian player that is now idolized in Naples… the best footballer after Diego Amando Maradona to have played for the club.

“Putting all these into consideration, Victor Osimhen should know the weight of whatever comments he makes. He must learn to talk at all times to impress his fans and promote his brand, no matter his frustrations, obsessions or irritations. Secondly, for his personality, class and position, he shouldn’t be the one speaking always (but) should delegate these responsibilities, especially reactions to sensitive issues like this one, to his manager, agents or trusted friends. Your choice of words also matters… Attacking your coach the way you did and generalizing the attack to include Nigeria and Nigerians is demeaning, to say the least.. Go out there and apology to coach Finidi and everyone affected by your comments… for the sake of posterity”

I subscribe to this write-up hook-line-and-sinker! Tell Osimhen to watch it! He is yet to achieve a cent of Finidi’s contributions to our football. Where are yesterday’s super-brats of Nigerian football? In the end character trumps talent!

If we could end the Nigerian Civil War in 30 months at a time when our military and their armaments were less sophisticated, how come we are unable to defeat Boko Haram and its allied agents of terror in 15 years? That was the fat question posed by one of the advocates of non-kinetic interventions in the anti-terror drive, Prof. Usman Yusuf, who once served as the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS.

In battling the present state of insecurity, every voice counts because valuable clues that will help defeat the problem may come from unexpected quarters.

Yusuf is one of the members of the Northern Elders Forum, a body that believes in the carrot-and-stick strategy in defeating banditry and terror. For quite a while, the group has been campaigning for Sheik Ahmad Gumi to be given government backing to negotiate with the bandits with the hope that such a move will solve the problem case by case.

Plea To Negotiate

Last March, NEF appealed to President Tinubu to commission Sheik Gumi to undertake negotiations with bandits for the release of 200 internally displaced women in Borno State and 287 pupils in Kaduna. He pleaded with the president not to make the same mistake made by his predecessor, former President Buhari, who refused to negotiate with criminals, even though he was aware that some governors were paying ransom to secure the release of their people.

NEF’s Spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said Gumi should be supported to bring about a peaceful resolution:

He said, “While some may question the legitimacy of negotiating with criminals, it is important to consider the potential benefits of engaging in dialogue. In conflict resolution, dialogue is often seen as crucial to finding peaceful solutions. By engaging with the bandits, Gumi may be able to understand their grievances and motivations, which could potentially lead to the safe release of the abducted children. Additionally, opening lines of communication with the bandits could pave the way for addressing underlying issues such as poverty, lack of education, and marginalisation that contribute to the cycle of violence.

“By initiating talks, Gumi may be able to secure the release of the schoolchildren and potentially prevent future abductions. While dialogue with bandits may seem controversial, it can be a necessary step in resolving conflicts and ensuring the safety of hostages…”

The federal government has pointedly rejected the suggestion, saying it won’t pay a kobo for the release of abducted persons. The government’s decision seems to be informed by the plethora of literature and other research findings available on social media showing that banditry has become an industry. When terrorists are begged to accept money in exchange for their victims, the state is admitting that it has lost its claim to being a state and is no longer enjoying a monopoly of violence within its geographical space.
No sensible government will share the money it should be using in procuring arms and ammunition with terrorists who, in several cases, are already outgunning security agencies. With more ransom money, bandits are able to acquire more sophisticated arms and enforce the institutionalisation of their criminal enterprise.

Banditry Now An Industry

Anyone who has been paying attention to the subject will know that banditry has become an industry in Nigeria. Contrary to the claim that it is a northern phenomenon, it is now a pan-Nigerian thing. Marksmen with Sahelian physical features have taken over many forests in the southern states, killing at random and making hefty sums as ransom payment. Where they’re not decimating the population of farmers, they turn the interstate highways to their hunting ground where, at times, they abduct the entire passengers of interstate buses.

Although many of the so-called bandits opened shop as aggrieved herdsmen whose cattle had been rustled by gunmen who crossed into Nigeria from Chad and Niger, there is a conspiracy of silence between the thieves and a section of the elite. Listening to some of their defenders, you would think the poor farmer in Kaduna, Okigwe, Auchi, Maiduguri, Yola, Jos, Gusau, Oyo or Ilesha should be blamed for prospering while his cattle herding compatriot is allegedly suffering. What, I ask, is the link between the rustling of cattle in the far north and the terrorisation of agrarian communities in other parts of the country under the pretence of ‘farmers-herders clashes’. Now that it is clear to everyone that in some parts of the country, there are only bandits and terrorists determined to seize the ancestral lands of farmers, should we still be living the lie that non-kinetic solutions will do the trick?

The recent declaration by the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dalijan Shehu, that banditry is now an industry in the state, plainly showed the extent of the problem. According to him, the class of people involved in banditry has compounded the situation. He disclosed that a former local government chairman has been arrested for involvement in banditry. In the same vein, a district head has been implicated in the supply of drugs to the criminals while a member of the State House of Assembly was implicated in banditry.

The police do not have the number of men and requisite firepower to confront the enemies of the people. Indeed, in some cases, the local vigilantes and traditional hunters have been known to rescue police operatives captured or trapped by bandits.

As a matter of urgency, the suggestions made by commentators in the public space over the last 12 months should be considered by the federal government. The ‘To Do’ list of deliverables within the next one year should include the following:

Establishment of State Police

Immediate prosecution and punishment of all the sponsors, informants, bagmen and other collaborators of bandits no matter how highly placed.

Enhanced intel-based military intervention simultaneously carried out in contiguous terror-endemic areas.
Coordinated use of drones to take out identified kingpins of banditry.

Retooling of relevant squadrons of the police involved in the anti-banditry war with superior arms more advanced than the terrorists’ weapons.

The franchising out of identified notorious bandits/terrorists’ zones to mercenaries (never say never)!
Banning open grazing nationally so that bandits and Boko Haram may no longer pose as herdsmen or continue to decimate the population of farmers under false pretences. Already, I have written about many ranching initiatives such as the ones established in Kano by former Governor Ganduje which all state governments interested in ranching can emulate.

Ranching Legislation

I notice that the National Assembly has been working on the anti-grazing bill with gusto. It shouldn’t be a divisive issue. In fact, without much ado, the lawmakers should carefully consider the judicial work that has already been done on the subject instead of pretending that the herder-farmer problem is a new development. We should remind them that the matter has since been settled in law by Hon.Justice Adewale Thompson in Suit no AB/26/66 at the Abeokuta Division of the High Court on 17 April,1969 as follows:

“I do not accept the contention of Defendants that a custom exists which imposes an obligation on the owner of a farm to fence his farm whilst the owner of cattle allows his cattle to wander like pests and cause damage. Such a custom if it exists, is unreasonable and I hold that it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and therefore unenforceable… in that it is highly unreasonable to impose the burden of fencing a farm on the farmer without the corresponding obligation on the cattle owner to fence in his cattle. “Sequence to that I ban open grazing for it is inimical to peace and tranquillity and the cattle owners must fence or ranch their animals for peace to reign in these communities.”

The gradual erosion of governance at the local government level and the attendant collapse of both physical and administrative structures are leading legal experts and civil society organisations to pose serious questions about Nigeria’s democratic credentials with visible threats to constitutional orders.

The ongoing political battle between the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and a faction of the state assembly over the tenure of local government chairmen has also exposed the extent to which virtually all the states have gone to undermine the constitutional order, with local government elections dependent on the whims of the governors rather than the law.

Defence and security experts who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday backed a recent assertion by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, that insecurity in many parts of the country, particularly the north, is linked to the absence of local government administration.

Stakeholders who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday identified corruption and political dominance as the major incentives pushing governors to disregard the constitution, and Supreme Court rulings and even resort to the deployment of violence in their efforts to control local council authorities and finances.

At stake is trillions of Naira of local government funds. Between January and May 2024, all three tiers of government shared N5.759 trillion from the federation account. The 774 LGAs received N1.416 trillion on this figure.

LEADERSHIP Sunday estimates that the 774 LGAs could collect as much as N3.39 trillion in the whole of 2024.

In January 2024, the LGAs got N288.928 billion, N278.041 billion in February, N267.153 billion in March, N288.688 billion in April, and N293.816 billion in May.
Investigations and expert opinion sought by LEADERSHIP Sunday also show that the effects of weak or absent local authorities is all-encompassing, undermining democracy, fueling insecurity, breeding corruption and raising tension between state governments and the general public on the one hand, and between the states and the federal government on another.

Findings by our correspondents show that virtually all of the present state governors have at one point or another appointed caretakers in breach of Nigerian laws and against Supreme Court rulings. Some, like Osun governor, Ademola Adeleke, have gone as far as sacking elected local government chairmen.
But Anambra could take the prize for illegality as our correspondent reports that local government elections were last held in 2014, a decade ago.

In Rivers State, where the debate has been about which of two wrongs will make a right, the tenure of the elected local government chairmen expired on June 17, 2024.

The governor immediately replaced them with caretakers, while the state assembly insisted it had extended their tenure through a a questionable piece of legislation.
States that have conducted LG elections within the last three years include Sokoto, Kaduna, Plateau, Yobe, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kebbi, Niger, Adamawa, Oyo, Katsina, Ekiti, Borno, Gombe and Edo.

Lagos last held LG elections in July 2021, but does not plan to hold another until 2025, exceeding the three years mandated by law.
In other states, local government elections were last held in Kwara State in 2017, 2018 in Imo, December 2020 in Kogi, October 2020 in Akwa Ibom, May 2020 in Cross River, and June 2021 in Jigawa, with no signs of elections holding soon.

Bauchi State last conducted local government elections in October 2020. In Abia, too, the last election was in 2020, while in Delta, it was in March 2021.
And while the federal government has tried various means to restore constitutionality and autonomy to the local government system, some legal luminaries have disagreed with the approach.
Several Senior Advocates of Nigeria are sharply divided over the suit filed by the federal government against the 36 states of the federation on autonomy for the 774 LGAs in the country.

The attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had dragged the state governments to the Supreme Court over illegal control of LGs by the state governors.
Specifically, the suit is seeking full autonomy for local governments as the third tier of government in the country.

FG has no locus filing suit for LG autonomy – Awa Kalu

Dr Ahmed Raji, SAN, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in about five states including Kano; Chief Awa Kalu, SAN, Professor of law and former Attorney-Genetal of Abia state, and Barrister Paul Omoluabi, a constitutional lawyer, all took different positions on the federal government’s suit at the Supreme Court.

While Prof Kalu said the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, should have been the legally recognised body to file the suit and not the FG, Dr Raji said since parties have surrendered themselves before the court, the apex court should be allowed to determine the matter one way or the other.

Prof Kalu said, “The proper court to go to, to decide the suit one way or the other is the Supreme Court. The federal government has no locus filing suit on behalf of LGs; why can’t the LGs speak for themselves; after all, they have an umbrella, ALGON, that can do that on their behalf.”

But Dr Raji said, “This case has been submitted for determination, and judgement is being expected, and as a senior lawyer, I should not anticipate what is going to be the judgement of the court. If it is not yet subjudice, it is within my right to comment but being a counsel who has taken a petition and has taken the matter for determination, it would be grossly irresponsible of me to make comments that would try to over-reach the decision of the court.”

On the conduct of LG election, Professor Kalu said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has no business with LG elections. He also condemned governors that withhold LG funds.
He said, “It is all propaganda; INEC has no business with local government election; it has not even been able to handle its own primary responsibilities well and you still want to hand over another one to it. It is pure propaganda to say you want to hand over LG election to INEC.

“There is no lacuna in the law guiding local governmnent election; it’s all propaganda. There is a Supreme Court judgement that talks about the state having something to do with the running of the local government. There is a Supreme Court judgement to that effect. The Supreme Court made it clear that you can’t be in Abuja and be conducting LG elections in the states.”

Raji on his part said withholding LG funds could lead to anarchy.

According to him, the drafters of the law did not envisage a vacuum in local government administration.
He said, “It is not contemplated that there will be a vacuum; the drafters of our laws did not anticipate that there will be long vacuum after the departure of one regime before another regime comes in. So to find the justification for it may be difficult, but under the doctrine of necessity the governor may be right to put caretaker government in place, but under the constitution, there should be a democratically elected local government but where election is impossible due to disease outbreak that may result in an election not being held, then, the state law will have to provide for a means to keep the government wheels running, but it is not in the contemplation of the law that you can say a tenure is over and there is a gap for one or two years.”

On the conduct of LG elections by INEC, he said the call became necessary because it is believed that the governors are not doing the right thing, as regards the conduct of LG elections.

He said rather than ask INEC to conduct LG elections, the loopholes should be blocked and state independent electoral commissions (SIECs) strengthened to conduct credible elections.
“The reason for this is, it is believed governors are just “messing” up with SIECs; where is the assurance that INEC will fare better?

“I think we need to deepen democracy. If there is anything which the state commission is doing which is not proper, I think we need to block the loopholes and see that they are up and doing because over-centralisation has its own problem.

“I think the monitoring should be more and the judiciary should intervene decisively where there is no semblance of election in any state in respect of the local government councils, so maybe if one or two of them are made examples”, he said.
He also spoke on the attitude of the state governors to withhold LG funds in contravention of the law.
To him, the issue has been put to rest by the Supreme Court in the case between AG Lagos State vs AGF.
He said it is grossly illegal for a governor to withhold funds meant for LG administration.
He said withholding funds meant for the running if govermnent affairs at any level could lead to anarchy.
Constitutional lawyer, Barrister Paul Omoluabi, quoted Section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution which states:

“The amount standing to the credit of the local government council in the Federation Account shall be paid directly to the local government council.”

He said, “Section 162(4) of the Constitution allows the president to withhold funds from the Federation Account if a state or local government fails to comply with the provisions of the Constitution or any law enacted by the National Assembly.

Ungoverned Spaces Fueling insecurity

Security experts have attributed rising insecurity in the country to the absence of effective local government administration and called for local government autonomy.

The experts said effective local government administration would identify brewing security threats and tackle them to avoid their escalation.

Maj-Gen James Nyam (rtd) said the local government area security committee are formed to identify brewing threats and solve them.

“We have 774 LGAs in Nigeria by the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Among the administrative structure of the LGAs, there is an LGA Security Committee which is composed of the LGA chairman as chair, representative of the Armed Forces, the Police, DSS, traditional and religious institutions and other critical stakeholders such as union leaders and CSOs where they exist in that LGA.”
He said the committee serves as a veritable tool identifying all forms of insecurity brewing in the LGA, tracking the sources, isolating them and tackling them.

He, however, said the dislocation of LGAs by state governments had created a vacuum where nobody is carrying out that responsibility.
Speaking further, he said the absence of local government has excluded a lot of Nigerians from political participation, thereby leaving a large population idle.

“Secondly, the LGAs offer the largest platform for inclusiveness and political participation at the grassroots. When you dislocate the LGAs, inadvertently, you are excluding majority of Nigerians from political participation. They are then left idle and the only thing that might result from that situation is insecurity…That is what we currently have in Nigeria in very exponential proportions.”
He identified corruption as the reason for the failure of the LG system.

“It is all due to corruption. We have allowed state governors to take charge of local government funds and they are not ready or willing to let go. It’s my hope that the suit filed by the federal government, pursuant to reinstating LGA autonomy, is the right way to go and, if successful, would assuage or address, majorly, our prevailing security challenges!”

On his part, Brig-Gen Sani Usman (rtd) said an effective local government administration will help address security challenges since most of the challenges are local.

“I have been saying the autonomy and effective functioning of the local government is one of the most critical aspects of fighting poverty, corruption and, most importantly, insecurity in the country. Therefore, there is a very strong link between those issues and local governance. The bulk of the security challenges are local and the solution is local. For example, banditry and kidnapping in the northwest, to the large extent, were due to the mishandling of herders-farmers clashes which could have been mitigated at the local level”.

Governors Behind Failure In LGs – CSOs

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working to ensure local government autonomy have accused state governors of causing the failure of the local government system.

They, however, say that scrapping the LG system will not resolve the issues of insecurity and underdevelopment.

The CSOs argue that only financial autonomy will address the problems in the local governments.

According to the CSOs, the collapse of LGs is due to the governors hijacking their funds and not allowing them to fulfill their mandates.

The national team leader of Engaged Citizens, John Mutu,

Highlighted that the lack of financial autonomy and administrative autonomy is the root of the problem.

Mutu stressed the importance of LGs managing their resources and being accountable to the people.

He expressed concern that if the governors appoint caretaker chairmen, they will only be accountable to the governors and not to the people at the grassroots.

Mutu, who previously served as the deputy national team leader of PERL-ECP, a governance programme funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), stated that caretakers appointed by the governors at the local government level should not exist.

He explained that the constitution does not provide for caretakers in the absence of elections.

Mutu suggested that the head of administration in the local government, who is the LG secretary, should take charge until elections are conducted.

“If there are no elections, the natural succession should be the most senior civil servant,” Mutu said.

Meanwhile, CSOs and other stakeholders advocating for local government autonomy have organised a one-day planning and reflection meeting in Abuja.

This meeting aims to assess their successes in advocating for local government autonomy and leverage the ongoing constitution amendment.

The CSOs and organised groups believe that the clamour for local government autonomy and independence will ultimately be achieved.

[Leadership]

Farming communities suffering from bandits’ and terrorist attacks in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi LGAs of Niger State are paying millions of naira “dialogue fee” to their killers with a promise to allow them access to their farms for cultivation.

Speaking with our correspondent, the farmers said despite the millions of naira they had been paying since the beginning of this farming season, attacks had continued.

A farmer in Shiroro, Salisu Baba, said, “Farming is the only occupation and means of livelihood that we have. And we are now hungry. All these humanitarian support people talk about cannot take us anywhere. We want to go back to our communities to engage in farming. We are hungry and impoverished in IDP camps; even our children are not well-fed. That is why when bandits ask for dialogue we do agree because we are eager to go back home. It is almost 10 years; we cannot go to our farms.”

It was gathered that before the attacks the communities produced maize, millet, sorghum, soybean, yam and cocoyam in commercial quantities, attracting buyers from as far as Lagos, the Eastern part of the country and the Republic of Niger.

A farmer who preferred anonymity said, “Majority of us are in IDP camps in Erena, Gwada, Sarkin-Pawa and Kuta. Many of our relations are in captivity. We have completely lost access to farming.”

Meanwhile, recently the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (Rtd), disclosed that the government was planning to construct temporary resettlement centres for the IDPs pending when the situation improved.

He warned the victims against returning home without the government’s directive.

The President of Lakpma Youth Forum, Babangida Zaharadeen Kudodo, told our correspondent the victims paid “dialogue fee” amounting to millions to be allowed to cultivate lands.

He said, “They (bandits and terrorists) do come and ask for dialogue fees so that there would be a consensus between them and the villagers. They tax them certain amounts of money which they would pay to them so that they would be allowed to farm.

“The Lakpma axis is suffering from insecurity in Shiroro LGA. So, anybody seen farming now is definitely paying tax to the bandits or terrorists.”

He added that, “Farmers pay tax because they are out of options, because we all know how things have been very difficult for our people. Even when they run to IDP camps, how would they cope? People used to fetch free firewood but they have now come to the town to buy firewood, and there is no money to buy it with the current cost of living in the country.

“So, they feel that if terrorists can tax them as much as N10m, N15m and even N20m, communities prefer to just go and gather the money and give them so that they would allow them access to their ancestral lands to continue with their farming activities.

“But despite that they pay taxes, that doesn’t stop the bandits and terrorists from attacking them, killing them and kidnapping others. So, maybe if one group had taxed them and they paid, another group would not know. So, other groups will still come and kidnap people and even kill them.”

However, in Munya, a local government official confirmed to our correspondent on condition of anonymity that bandits called for a dialogue to allow the affected communities to go to farm, but said they did not collect any levy from the farmers.

He said, “One of the conditions the bandits gave was that they would allow residents access to their farms but that if the farmers see them passing to other places, they should give them cover. But our people have rejected the move.”

 [DailyTrust]

The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recently stirred the hornet’s nest when it asked the Federal Government to purchase two new aircrafts for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Nigerians went wild with anger when the committee’s recommendation came to the public knowledge.

The recommendation was contained in a report of the committee’s investigation into the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet.

“The committee is of the strong and informed opinion that considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognising the dire consequences of any foreseen or unforeseen mishap that may arise as a result of the technical or operational inadequacy of the presidential air fleet, it is in the best interest of the country to procure two additional aircrafts as recommended.

“This will also prove to be most cost-efficient in the long run, apart from the added advantage of providing a suitable, comfortable, and safe carrier befitting of the status and responsibilities of the office of the president and vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the report stated.

The committee was mandated by the lower chamber of the national assembly in May to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the aircraft in the presidential fleet to ascertain their airworthiness and technical status.

The assignment followed a motion by the House Committee Chairman on National Security and Intelligence, Satomi Ahmed.

According to reports, Ahmed’s motion followed reports of faulty aircraft in the presidential air fleet, a development that forced the President to use a chartered plane from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia during his recent trip abroad

There was a heated debate on the floor of the House when some lawmakers suggested that the President should travel via commercial aircraft or by road.

But in the end, the Committee was given the assignment to investigate and report to the House the condition of aircrafts in the presidential fleet.

To be on the same page, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Shehu Buba Umar, also supported the recommendation by the lower chamber’s committee.

Ever since the news broke out, Nigerians have been speaking against the move, with many saying the President cannot continue to spend money on luxury and ask Nigerians to be patient with the government.

Others are saying that even if the government wants to buy new aircrafts for the president and vice president, it should not be at this critical period when most Nigerians find it extremely difficult to feed once a day.

Recall that the Organised Labour and the Federal Government have been at loggerheads over a new national minimum wage.

While Labour is pushing for N250,000, the government said it could only afford N62,000 due to economic constraints.

Now, some persons are questioning the rationale behind the move to acquire new aircrafts when the government said it cannot pay a beggarly sum of N62,000 to workers.

Reacting to the development, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, through its national Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said there was no moral justification to ask Nigerians to make further sacrifices when the leaders don’t care whether the people survived or perished.

Stressing that the government must live by example by cutting luxury items, he said the citizens have been making sacrifices since the advent of the Tinubu administration on May 29, 2023. He argued that asking Nigerians to make further sacrifices amounts to telling them to commit suicide.

“If the government is so reckless in spending, then it has no moral justification to ask the citizens to sacrifice. In any event, the appropriate word is to say to the government, ‘let the poor breathe.’ That would be the right word to say to them.

“There are millions of families in this country that could not celebrate the very special celebration of Eid. They couldn’t celebrate it because they couldn’t afford it.

“So, for the government to nurse such plans shows they are disconnected with the realities on ground, which is that people are dying on a daily basis because they cannot afford food.

“People are dying on a daily basis because they cannot buy medicine. People are dying by reason of the fact that they are frustrated and they commit suicide on a daily basis. And the government seems to be disconnected and averse to the reality in the nation.

“Our own advice as a party is that the President should live by example, by first of all, ensuring that the corruption and the excessive maintenance of their luxury appetites are cut.

“We have said it severally that the government must stop pursuing and funding their luxury appetites. And it comes in the form of vehicles, the nature of vehicles and the number of vehicles.

“The government has no moral justification. Indeed, Nigerians have been sacrificing. They have been sacrificing from day one; since May 29, 2023 when this government came in.

“It started with the rash and ill-thought programme of removing fuel subsidy. Nigerians have been suffering on the basis of that. They have been paying more on electricity tariff, and paying more on multiple taxes being imposed on them.

“These people are suffocating. Telling them to sacrifice more is like saying go and commit suicide. That is what they are saying. It is the government that should sacrifice now. The leadership should show examples.

“And if there is any plan at all to purchase an aircraft, then President Tinubu should perish the thought. Number one, the British Prime Minister flies British Airways. At the last count, we have about seven or nine aircrafts in the Presidential fleet. Former President Muhammadu Buhari came and said he was going to sell all of them; instead of selling, he acquired more,” he said.

Also reacting, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, through its spokesman, Mr Benson Upah accused the Federal Government and the ruling elite of prioritizing luxury over the needs of the Nigerian people.

He said: “When it comes to the comfort of members of the ruling political elite, there is no limit to what the state can do. But, when it comes to the basic necessities of the ordinary Nigerian, they begin to use a calculator.

“As long as the ruling elite consider themselves over and above every other citizen, every need, and every necessity, there will continue to be hunger and anger in the land.

“There is always enough for the pleasures or the passions of the ruling political elite, but never enough for the necessities of the citizenry. Purchasing a presidential jet cannot be a necessity for now, given the complaints or comments from the ruling political elite. It cannot be a priority for now.”

He cited examples of other countries where their leaders fly commercial planes just to save money for their countries.

“We have many leaders, including the Kenyan president, and others, who fly commercial planes,” he said in a statement.

Reacting through his official X handle, former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi said the plan to acquire new presidential aircrafts was unacceptable and a clear show of insensitivity to the suffering of the people.

He advised the government to focus on alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians rather than wasting money on such luxuries.

He said: “At a time when our country is on the front page of global newspapers for facing its worst economic crisis, marked by high inflation, a falling currency, and widespread poverty, the government is contemplating buying new presidential jets. This demonstrates extreme insensitivity to citizens’ struggles.

“With rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, this decision highlights the disconnect that is apparent between the government and the people.

“It is unacceptable as the situation in the country today more than ever before demands a more compassionate use of resources, and prioritising citizens’ welfare.

“It’s on record that our presidential jets have an average age of 12 years, purchased when most Nigerians could afford basic necessities. Now, as our country faces significant challenges, including a high debt profile, our citizens are in even greater need. Instead of adding to our luxuries, we should be focused on alleviating their sufferings, and finding solutions to their problems.

“For long, our bad leadership has made our priorities as leaders to be at variance with the needs of the society, which is why we are now headed south as a nation.

“To elucidate further, despite dropping down to the fourth largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $252 billion and a per capita income of $1,080, with huge debt burdens and borrowing to service debts, yet, we are spending $15 million for our Vice President’s residence, while the USA, the world’s largest economy with a GDP of $25 trillion, about 100 times our GDP, and a per capita income of $80,000, about 80 times ours, still houses their Vice President in Number 1 Observatory Circle, a house built over 100 years ago, and whose value is less than the $15 million we are spending on our VP’s residence.

“A reputable real estate company reports that the US Vice President’s official residence is valued at about $7.5 million today.

“While we had earlier refurbished the old VP’s residence with $2 million, the over 100-year-old US Vice President’s house has only undergone wide-scale renovations twice, funded by taxpayers’ money in 1993 and 2021. Every new US VP is free to finance any minor refurbishing from his funds.

“It’s, therefore, time to stop this impunity, insensitivity, and shamelessness and refocus on the needs of our people.

“We must prioritise education, healthcare, and lifting our citizens out of poverty. Let us work together to build a nation that truly serves its people, not just the interests of a few. Let’s rise to the challenge, and build this new Nigeria which is now more possible than ever before.”

President of the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, cautioned the president to be more sensitive to the plight of Nigerians and not indulge in extravagant expenditures.

According to him, “He’s supposed to live by example. If the economy is okay, he can buy a presidential jet, and no one would raise an eyebrow. But, given that the economy is in a bad shape and he knows it, he should be sensitive enough not to spend money on things that are not necessary.”

“However, if he can justify to Nigerians that the current jet is in such bad shape, and that his security is at risk if he uses it, we can understand. But, no one has given us such an explanation. As far as we are concerned, it is just one of those extravagant expenditures,” he told DAILY POST.

For the president of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the idea was insensitive to the current economic hardship in the land.

“I am totally not in support of any new aircraft at the moment. Rather, he should stay at home and work or manage the available ones.

“Let us be honest with ourselves, this is not acceptable and Nigerians must not be in support of this idea.

“This is a clarion call; Nigerians must resist and condemn this move. We are just recovering from the SUV for National Assembly members and they are now talking about buying a private jet. No, this is wrong and unacceptable,” he said in an interview with DAILY POST.

[DailyPost]

• He was never Emir of Kano, says gov’s spokesman

Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, yesterday  insisted that  the dethroned Emir, Aminu Bayero, must vacate the Nasarawa Palace where is currently staying.

 The governor’s Media and Publicity Director General, Sanusi Bature, said the Nasarawa mini palace is a graveyard which Bayero must vacate for necessary renovation. He spoke on Arise News television on Friday.

 He disclosed that Aminu Ado Bayero was never an Emir of Kano, but only an Emir of the eight metropolitan local government areas which have been abolished.

 Speaking on the notice given to Emir Bayero to vacate the Nasarawa palace, Bature said the property being occupied by Bayero is not a palace or mini palace but a graveyard for Kano emirs which also serves other purposes as well and would require renovation.

He said, “The Nasarawa palace we are talking about is not a palace. It is actually a cemetery for late Emirs of Kano, not a palace. Another part of it is used as a guest house for very important visitors of the palace. It is where the emir used to rest for a short while when he is coming back from an annual festival during the Sallah celebration.”

 Bature expressed concerns over the safety of Bayero staying in the Nasarawa palace.

 He said: “Aminu is living in a graveyard. He forced himself into that property. We want to renovate it so it can be used for its original purpose and for Bayero’s safety from the defective structure.”

Regarding the deposition of Emir Aminu Bayero, Bature clarified, “Aminu Ado Bayero was never an Emir of Kano. He was appointed Emir of eight metropolitan local governments of Kano city.”

Bature pointed out that with the repeal of the 2019 Emirate Law which had created additional emirates like Bichi, Karaye, Gaya, and Rano, Bayero’s jurisdiction no longer exists as originally intended.

 “With the revision of the law under one united Kano, the emirate that Bayero served does not exist again. The main emirate was bastardised by Abdullahi Ganduje under the 2019 Emirate Law which created Bichi, Karaye, Gaya, and Rano emirates.”

Clarifying the reason for Bayero’s recognition as the 15th Emir of Kano state, he said, “Bayero was 15th Emir of Kano but his jurisdiction is not for the 44 local governments of Kano.  It’s just only for the eight metropolitan governments which are now abolished and the judge in his ruling affirmed the validity of the law.”

 He emphasised the historical significance of the emirate, stating: “The emirate of Kano predates Nigeria and its constitution.”

 Bature criticised the actions of the previous administration under Ganduje, accusing it of politicising and undermining the emirate’s integrity. He asserted, “His excellency, Abba Yusuf, promised to restore the lost glory of the state during his campaign, and he is only fulfilling his promise.”

The governor’s spokesman also discussed legal matters surrounding the emirate, mentioning ongoing appeals and jurisdictional challenges.

 “We have filed an appeal at the appellate court and will pursue this case rigorously. It’s a fight to finish,” he asserted.

 Bature affirmed the reinstatement of Sanusi II as Emir stating: “Emir Sanusi II was duly reinstated under the new emirate law that unified Kano under one emirate.”

 Meanwhile, the police yesterday faulted the Kano State government, particularly Governor Abba Yusuf, on their stand on the emirate crisis.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a police officer said the governor caused the entire crisis because of  his “arrogance and abuse of court orders.”

 The respondent, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), queried the governor and his aides for insisting to evict Aminu Bayero when the case is still in the court.

 “I am not in the position to speak to journalists on this matter, but the CP (Commissioner of Police) and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) have spoken a lot on this saga.

“Like the CP said, obeying the governor’s eviction order would be like jumping the gun.

 “The same government has appealed the case at the appellate court, which is coming up on the 24th of June, 2024. So, why not wait for the outcome in the court? What if the court rules in favour of Bayero?,” he asked.

 Reacting on the state government’s insistence to demolish the Nasarawa palace where deposed Emir Aminu Bayero is staying, the police source said no one would be allowed to come near the property with a bulldozer, except if Governor Abba Yusuf drives a bulldozer and carries out the demolition by himself.

 “Can’t you see that we have barricaded all the four entry points to the area? Where will the bulldozers pass?

 “Except, if the governor drives a bulldozer by himself, given his immunity, we shall allow him to do his wish, but we shall video-record him and file our report,” he said.

He reminded that if Nigeria was operating state police, by now Kano would have been on fire.

 “These are leaders clamouring for state police. This is the second time the governor is ordering us to evict Bayero. The first order was voided by the court, which asked the state government to pay Bayero the sum of N10 million as damages as it affects his fundamental rights of movement and civic liberty.

“Now, he (governor) has come up with another order and even threatening to demolish the place where an emir -whether deposed or on the throne is staying.

 “Now, imagine if the police were under him; officers and men of the Force would have had no choice than to obey his order -to evict or harm Bayero or do whatever he would have commanded them to do against him and Kano would have been in blood by now.

 “However, that not been the case, we have been able to maintain law and order in Kano, protecting the two emirs,” he said.

He praised the Commissioner of Police, Ussain Gumel, for his wisdom in ensuring peace and stability in Kano State up to this moment.

 He regretted that, “Gumel has been promoted to the rank of AIG and will be handing over and leaving on Monday,” he said.

Gov warns security agencies against going outside designated responsibilities

Speaking at the 15th weekly meeting of the Kano State Executive Council held at the Government House, yesterday, Governor Abba Yusuf, cautioned  security agencies in the state against meddling in matters beyond their designated responsibilities.

The governor’s warning follows the state Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, rejection of the order of the attorney general of the state to evict the deposed emir  from the Nasarawa Palace.

The governor in a statement by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature said, “Governor Abba Kabir expressed disapproval of the recent upsurge in Thuggery and clashes involving Yan daba, affirming that the government will not passively observe while unscrupulous elements endanger the relative tranquility and harmony enjoyed by the law-abiding citizens of the state.

 “He reiterated that under his administration, the state government is diligently collaborating with relevant security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the populace and their possessions at all times.

 “Furthermore, Governor Abba Kabir cautioned Judges against the unwarranted release of thugs, emphasizing the threat they pose to the welfare of the state’s residents and stressing the importance of prompt and equitable dispensation of justice.

 “Alhaji Abba Kabir also instructed security agencies to strictly adhere to their mandated duty of safeguarding the lives and properties of the citizens they serve, warning against involvement in matters beyond their designated responsibilities.”

[TheNation]

In developed democra cies, citizen patriotism is exceedingly high because the right to life in such countries is a priority both in theory and in practice. For example, the US government would take every possible step to stop whatever can bring harm to any American citizen. Indeed, the death of one American citizen especially outside the country ’s shores is enough to lead to war.

Commendably, they generally don’t wait for a calamity before action is taken. This is why the country’s embassies by convention issue periodic advisory releases to serve as early warning signals for their citizens wherever they are. It is therefore not by accident that such citizens are able to develop a high degree of affection for their country.

In the developing world on the other hand, the reverse is the case; not because people have no knowledge of the value of patriotism but because the right to life of a citizen is not similarly a priority in governance. Until the recent creation of the Diaspora Commission, which now seems to put everyone on notice, officials of government were not used to bothering about the fate of their country’s citizens. The common narrative has been that our embassies are frequently hostile to their citizens abroad – a situation that is yet to substantially change. At home, the people are themselves eyewitnesses of daily avoidable deaths which the authorities do nothing about. This seems to explain why Nigerian citizens openly chorus the saying that their country is not worth dying for. 

Right to life is one of the fundamental rights provided for and documented in Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution but in all honesty do our people enjoy the right to life? Hundreds of people die daily from basic ailments and even hunger, yet the same Constitution says the security and welfare of the citizenry is the primary purpose of government. In reality however, it is an open secret that the real primary purpose of government is the luxury of the ruling class. In the last few weeks, cholera, a contagious but preventable disease has been recorded in not less than 30 states in Nigeria with no concerted efforts to stop the fatalities. Painfully, this is an annual occurrence during the rains between December and June.

Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) had announced a spike in cholera in several regions of the world, with about 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths reported in 24 countries since the start of 2024, Nigeria is one of the countries that appear taken aback. In Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, Cholera death toll increased to 24 in Lagos State alone some 48 hours ago. Professor Akin Abayomi, the state health commissioner who announced the increase advised residents to ensure personal and environmental hygiene. It is however simplistic to imagine that it is Lagos that has been most hit simply because other states are as usual playing down the epidemic.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1,141 suspected cases with about 40 deaths in 96 local government areas in 30 states have been recorded in the first half of this year. This establishes that right to life is not really a priority of government if these preventable deaths were allowed to happen. If the truth must be told, the priority in Nigeria is politics. In Edo and Ondo states where the governorship elections are around the corner, nothing else interests anyone. Even in states where there are no elections until 2027, it is politics, politics and politics.

In Rivers state, the priority today is whether or not the tenure of local councillors and the chairmen have ended. Already deaths have as a result occurred.

This is therefore not the best time to monitor the status of cholera in Rivers state even though 9 people were reportedly killed a few months back following an outbreak of cholera in Soku community in Akuku-Toru local government area of the state. Some community elders told the media that the outbreak was as a result of bad and contaminated drinking water. Similarly, whether or not there is cholera in Kano cannot be the issue at stake now. Following judicial pronouncements that do not mean the same thing to any two lawyers, the state government has been forced to concentrate on the Emirship of the ancient city. The fact that the court concerned is a federal high court that has chosen to deal with matters assigned to state high courts has also forced the entire nation to see the subject as the matter of the moment.

It is however observed that some efforts have been made in Kano to advise residents against drinking rainwater which the health authorities in the state say can prevent the spread of cholera as the raining season has set in. Other states are also restricting themselves to issuing guidelines on the subject. In Oyo state for instance, the Education Board has asked food vendors and handlers in public schools to follow hygiene practices to prevent contamination. In Akwa Ibom State, the government says it has initiated precautionary measures to prevent outbreak of cholera in the state. Last Friday in Uyo, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, said the state government had commenced sensitisation of residents in all its 31 Local Government Areas on the need to maintain personal and environmental hygiene.

Whereas counselling people on hygiene is good health education, it is important to observe that contaminated water is the only readily available source of drinking water across the rural areas of Nigeria. In the circumstance, is it irrational to conclude that the welfare and security of the people is not the priority of government? This question is relevant when it is realized that the country does not budget enough funds to stockpile certain essential items like vaccines in anticipation of health emergencies. For this reason, Nigeria has remained incapable of providing adequate cholera vaccines to meet the needs of its people. Jide Idris, the boss of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was in fact quoted by the media to have said that the date of delivery of an order placed by the centre for more vaccines from donor agencies is unknown.

Each time a legislator moves a motion on what is usually described as a matter of urgent national importance, it is often about the welfare of the lawmakers and never about the people they represent. Once a speaker is unable to increase the luxuries of his colleagues he is removed. At least 4 speakers have since been so removed in the last one year. But for the timely intervention of Governor Bassy Otu, the current speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Alver Ayambem would have been out. He was saved after a closed-door meeting with the governor where the grievances of the legislators were addressed. Why can’t our legislators use same strategy to get governors to prevent unnecessary deaths of their people from ailments like cholera?

Some of our governors themselves do not believe in the mandate which makes the welfare and security of the masses their priority. Although Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba intends to construct several projects such as schools and hospitals to transform the state, it is instructive that the intention was disclosed at the commissioning of the remodelled governor ’s lodge in Abuja. It would have been salutary if the remodelling of the lodge was thought of after schools and hospitals had been built. Instead, the opening of the lodge got a LIVE television coverage showing clearly that it was considered a priority. From the commendation which Kefas got from Usman Ododo, his Kogi state colleague, it is clear that some other governors would follow the same example while the masses remain in penury and want.

During electioneering campaigns, some contestants always argue that their political ambition is not worth the life of any fellow citizen, yet the same politicians recruit several thugs to harm fellow contestants. While in office, they earn incredible salaries and allowances. Our current federal legislators are spending billions of naira to procure official cars and to construct parking lots for the cars. But the masses are left to live in squalor and be subjected to contagious diseases such as cholera while the ruling class watches on.

Former UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, revealed that Jorge Masvidal was the fighter who rattled him the most before entering the Octagon.

Despite being one of the most feared fighters in the welterweight division, Usman admitted to feeling afraid during his title run. The fighter who instilled the most fear in “The Nigerian Nightmare” was Masvidal, who had significant hype going into their first title fight in 2020.

Masvidal earned the 2019 ‘Fighter of the Year’ title with victories over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz, becoming the UFC’s first-ever BMF Champion with a doctor’s stoppage TKO. His record-breaking 5-second flying knee KO of the undefeated Askren stood out as one of the most violent knockouts, leaving Askren unconscious for nearly three minutes.

“I say one of the most violent (knockouts) because of, he was out for almost like two, three minutes,” Usman said of Masvidal’s KO on ‘Pound 4 Pound’.

“He was out. I remember I was there. I remember watching like, ‘He’s still stiff. Not only is he out, but he’s still stiff.’ Then, all that happens, that was 2019 and then I think maybe a year later you and I fight…”

Usman and Masvidal first clashed at UFC 251 under “the craziest circumstances” after title challenger Gilbert Burns withdrew due to COVID-19. Masvidal replaced him on six days’ notice, flying across the world to fight Usman on the UFC’s ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi.

Although it was Usman’s third UFC title fight, the champion felt uneasy heading into this unexpected and risky title defense against Masvidal. The Askren knockout played continuously on every channel and social media platform, adding to Usman’s nerves.

“Of course, we get nervous for every fight, but one of the first times it got to me, everything around me got to me because, bro, they’re playing your viral knockout, one of the most viral knockouts ever,” Usman said of the Askren knockout.

“(Masvidal) f***ing gets to me,” Usman continued. “I’m like, ‘Oh s**t, is he gonna baptize me? What the f**k is it? I’m in a hotel and I’m super nervous for this, especially that – that moment before you go to the arena for the fight, and I’m in my room just like, ‘Why the f**k am I so nervous right now? Get it together…’ I would say that was probably one of the most nerve-wracking fights that I had.”

Usman overcame his fears to win a dominant unanimous decision over Masvidal at UFC 251. After going the distance with “Gamebred” in 2020, the welterweights met again in a rematch a year later.

[Punch]